Collapsible outdoor table and support
A portable collapsible table assembly having a support surface, a centrally located pole coupled to the support surface and a ground support structure coupled to the pole. The ground support structure includes a pair of downwardly facing spear members aligned along the central axis of the pole. The spear members intersect one another generally along the central axis of the pole, and the spear members are substantially perpendicular to one another.
The present invention relates to portable furniture and, specifically, portable tables. Patio and outdoor furniture generally are designed to be left in a designated place for an extended period, such as during a summer season. Usually, these tables are heavy and sturdy so that they withstand being left outdoors without tipping or falling over. However, there are many instances, such as at a public park or other similar area, where it is not possible to leave the table or furniture for an extended period of time.
Likewise, shade structures that are portable for use at the beach or other similar areas are not ideal for use as a table. These structures, if they do include a table-like surface, tend to not be well balanced and can be easily shifted or moved, thereby minimizing the use of the device as a table.
Portable outdoor tables and umbrellas have been contemplated in the prior art. While adequate for simple shade protection, such as at a beach, they have potential drawbacks relating to proper support and balance. Furthermore, these umbrellas and tables may be cumbersome to transport. Some tables use augers as support for the tables. For instance, Williams et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,487,977), describes a collapsible table. The table must be screwed into the ground with an auger, which may be difficult in dense ground, especially when it is needed to screw the auger sufficiently into the ground to balance the table. To overcome this shortcoming, Williams utilizes a stabilizing bar to help with the balance of the table. However, the stabilizing bar is arranged to rest on the ground when the auger is completely screwed into the ground, which still can lead to an unbalanced table if the auger is not sufficiently secured downwardly into the ground.
Credle, Sr. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,166) shows a portable table. The center pole of the table has a beveled end that is inserted into the ground. While the table also has a handle located in the support section of the assembly to force the pole adequately into the ground, the table still has the same problems with balance as discussed above. The table may still be inserted unevenly into the ground and adjusting the table after being inserted into the table can loosen the area around the support, thereby lessening the balance of the table.
Thus, it would be advantageous to have a portable table that is easily inserted into the ground with the table being sufficiently balanced without the need of extra support structures or devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a portable, collapsible table assembly to be supported upon an outdoor location. The assembly has a centrally located pole, a support surface or a table surface that has a bore for receiving the pole, and a ground support structure coupled to the pole, that will be driven into the ground. The ground support structure comprises a pair of downwardly facing spear members, each having a central axis and intersecting one another generally along the central axis. The spears are arranged to provide an easily insertable support structure that will sufficiently balance the table.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
Still referring to
The ground support structure 18 provides a wide base that is easier to insert into the ground or substrate 5 when compared to prior art devices, without requiring extra elements to balance or support the assembly 10. The spear members 38, 40 may be formed as a unitary device or each of the spear members 38, 40 may be individually manufactured and then fit together by the user. Similarly, the ground support structure 18 may be a separate piece from the pole 14 or designed integrally with the pole. The ground support structure 18 may comprise more spear members if desired, with the extra spear members also intersecting along the central axis A.
Because the spear members 38, 40 are relatively narrow and cover a proportionally large area when compared to prior are support devices, they provide an improved support, yet are easier to insert into the ground. Also, as previously mentioned, the spear members 38, 40 are preferably designed to be of the same length or height. This further insures that the table assembly 10 will be level when inserted into the ground or substrate 5, since it will be easy to determine when both spear members 38, 40 are flush with the ground or substrate 5.
The table assembly 10 of the present invention provides an outdoor table that is easy to transport and easy to erect. The design of the ground support structure 18 allows a quick and efficient manner for erecting the table assembly 10. While previous table assemblies were cumbersome to erect since they needed to be forcefully screwed into the ground or needed extra elements or devices to be properly inserted into the ground, the present invention can be easily inserted. The design of the support structure 18 is easily passed into the ground, while still providing a large support base for the table assembly 10, which is not present in tales that are screwed into the ground. Not only is the assembly 10 easier to erect than other assemblies, it also is more stable than prior assemblies. Thus, there is less chance that drinks or other items placed upon the support surface 16 will spill or tip over when compared to prior art assemblies.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
Claims
1. A portable, collapsible table assembly comprising:
- an umbrella;
- a centrally located pole having a first end and a second end, said first end coupled to said umbrella;
- a support surface having a bore for receiving said pole; and
- a ground support structure coupled to said second end of said pole, said ground support structure comprising:
- at least a pair of downwardly facing spear members, each of said spear members having a central axis, said spear members intersecting one another generally along said central axis, said spear members being substantially perpendicular to one another.
2. The table assembly according to claim 1 wherein said spear members are triangular.
3. The table assembly according to claim 1 wherein said pole further comprises:
- a top section coupled to said umbrella;
- a middle section being receivable by said support surface; and
- a bottom section coupled to said ground support structure.
4. The table assembly according to claim 1 wherein said support structure further comprises a retaining structure located around the perimeter of said support structure.
5. The table assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a storage area for transporting the table assembly in a collapsed arrangement, said storage area integrated to said support surface.
6. A portable collapsible table assembly comprising:
- a support surface;
- a centrally located pole having a first end and a second end, said first end coupled to said support surface; and
- a ground support structure coupled to said second end of said pole, said ground support structure comprising:
- at least a pair of downwardly facing spear members, each of said spear members having a central axis, said spear members intersecting one another generally along said central axis, said spear members being substantially perpendicular to one another.
7. The table assembly according to claim 6 wherein said spear members are triangular.
8. The table assembly according to claim 6 wherein said support structure further comprises a retaining structure around the perimeter of said support structure.
9. The table assembly according to claim 6 further comprising a storage area for transporting the table assembly in a collapsed arrangement, said storage area integrated to said support surface.
10. The table assembly according to claim 9 wherein said support structure further comprises a handle.
11. The table assembly according to claim 6 further comprising a coupler for coupling said pole to said support surface.
12. The table assembly according to claim 11 wherein said coupler and said table are of unitary construction.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 25, 2006
Publication Date: Oct 25, 2007
Inventor: Scott Becker (Milwaukee, WI)
Application Number: 11/410,391
International Classification: A45B 3/00 (20060101); A47B 37/00 (20060101);